Google begins removing some results in Europe

AMSTERDAM (AP) — Google has begun deleting some search results at the request of users, following a May court ruling that European Union citizens have a right to ask for the removal of irrelevant or embarrassing personal information that pops up on a search of their names.

Several weeks after the ruling by the European Court of Justice on the so-called “right to be forgotten,” the company set up an online interface for users to register complaints.

Google spokesman Al Verney confirmed Thursday the company began taking down some results this week, but it has a backlog to work through. He said “each request has to be assessed individually.”

Google is only deleting information that appears on its own results pages. It has no control over information on websites.